Chapter 11

Home felt good. Her apartment was her palace and Zoe was happy to be there again. The past few days had been more than she could have ever imagined. From first meeting David and then succumbing to her desire over and over again, her date with Matt, and then spending the night in the hospital with a concussion; she could not be more glad to be in the comfort of her own home.

Abby had first watch and was showing a strange, albeit very welcome, restraint when it came to questions about David. The living space and bedroom were all one room. This had forced Zoe to get creative with the space and she had done so in a way that made it cozy and welcoming, with plush places to sit, perfect for snuggling up with a good book or a long Netflix marathon. The living space served as bedroom in one corner, living room in another, and the other half of the space, furthest from the windows, was where she worked on her art. She had art all around the exposed brick walls, mostly from others she admired but some of her favorite pieces were up as well.

Abby helped Zoe get into bed, propping Zoe's foot up on every pillow she could find.

"Here is your cell phone and I'll grab you your laptop, anything else you need before we settle in for the Friends marathon I have planned?" Abby asked.

"You have done more than enough. Thanks A." Abby brushed the comment off and walked to get Zoe her laptop. Zoe glanced at her phone.

15 Missed Calls. 

30 Text Messages. 

Zoe should have been shocked by the fact that every missed call was from work and more than half the texts were as well but she did not have the strength or energy. Cheryl had sent a series of long texts with work related questions and she knew her days of rest would probably just turn into working from home. Zoe hoped it would make the time go faster. The idea of being stuck at home in bed for three days was daunting. 

She flipped through texts from some friends and co-workers checking in to make sure she was ok and she responded to each with a generic message of "I'm home now and I am ok! Thanks for thinking of me but I am fine." 

There was a series of sweet and concerned texts from Matt, each of which included an unneeded apology. Zoe would respond to those later. As she looked through the rest of her messages a new one came in from a number she did not recognize. 

555-8726: Zoe, Make sure you are getting plenty of rest and please do not hesitate to contact me if you need anything. I want you well. - D.M.

"Holy Shit, Zoe. What is going on with you and David Moore?!" Abby was standing over Zoe looking at her phone with her jaw open. 

"Nothing, it's nothing. I am pretty sure he is just worried I might sue or something." Zoe turned the screen off on her phone and reached for the laptop. "Anyway I have a zillion messages from Cheryl, I need to do work while you start the marathon, that ok?" Zoe could have sighed with relief as Abby happily sat next to her on the bed and flipped on the TV. 

Zoe worked on e-mails as Abby got sucked into the world or Ross and Rachel. She could feel her phone go off a few more times but was too nervous to open them around Abby. Not that he would say anything, he didn't want Zoe, the moments they had were fleeting and Zoe knew it. But what about what he had said at the hospital. "Don't you ever scare me like that again." Just thinking about it made her ache for him, to feel him again deep inside her, to feel his arms wrapped around her, his lips on her neck. She had never desired something so fully, with every fiber of her being. 

"I'm going to grab a soda, want anything while I am up? Need more pain meds?" Abby asked standing next to the bed.

"No, I'm good. Thanks." As soon as Abby turned towards the kitchen Zoe had her phone out. 

The new messages were not from David, but more from friends. Disappointed, Zoe added him as a contact in her phone. The hours of TV with Abby continued as Zoe kept working on her computer. 

Abby got a text. "Shit, Zoe. I am so so so so sorry but I have to go! Are you going to be ok if I go? I just, crap, they are calling some kind of emergency meeting at the firm. Don't they know it's a fucking Saturday!?" Abby spoke frantically while gathering her things. "I'll call Lexie and see if she can get out of the party early and take the night shift tonight, k?" Abby was so panicked, all Zoe could do was nod and say it was okay, and for the most part she believed it. She had crutches next to her bed and her apartment was easy to get around. 

"I'll be fine, go. Thank you for everything today!" And before she could finish her sentence Abby was walking out the door talking frantically to someone on the phone. Zoe's phone buzzed. 

David: How are you feeling? 

Zoe: Fine, tired but better. 

David: Good. Are your friends taking good care of you?  

Zoe hesitated, she was not sure how he would actually react if he knew she were alone and she was not entirely sure she wanted to find out, she knew so little about him, about his temperament. 

Zoe: Excellent care, Thank You. And Thank You again...for everything. 

David: ...Everything? If we are saying thank you for everything than I have quite a few things I should be thanking you for as well. 

Her stomach dropped and the ache for him rushed deep inside her. 

David: Tell your friend to open the door. 

Shit. He isn't here. He wouldn't do that, right? Zoe began to panic. 

Zoe: Why?

David: Just do it. I got something for you.

Zoe pulled herself up in bed and reached for her crutches. She was in lavender pajama shorts and a white tank top with her hair piled into a giant bun on the top of her head. When she used the crutches her tank top pulled up and revealed her flat white stomach. Please don't be him. Please just be pizza. She thought as she hobbled to the door. She couldn't look out the door before opening it, opening it was a big enough of a challenge and as she pulled the heavy wood door open towards her she lost her balance on her crutches and fell forward, right into his strong solid arms.  

As he steadied her stance she looked up into his grave face, it was betraying him yet again. Normally void of emotion, his face showed the slightest signs of anger on it's edges. Their eyes met and it was clear he was mad but he did not say a word as he wrapped one arm around her and helped her to the couch. Setting her down he went back for her crutches and a bag of take out he had dropped when he caught her mid-fall. 

"Where are your friends?" He growled the words with an anger that put her desire for him on edge. I know almost nothing about this man. The thought made her uneasy. 

"She had to leave, something came up. Another friend will be here in the morning, possibly sooner if she can." Zoe felt like she was trying to apologize with every single word, as if she had committed some terrible sin but as soon as the words were out she regretted it: what did she owe this man?

He was practically pacing. Pacing like a wild animal getting ready to strike. Zoe became brave. 

"Why are you even here?" She wanted the words to come out like daggers but instead her voice was a whisper, almost a whimper. How does he do this to me? 

He sat on the ottoman facing her, she was sitting on the edge of the couch so their knees touched. Her ankle hurt from the fall so she was trying to hold herself up with her arms to help keep the weight off her leg. Their eyes met, she tried hard to show she was in pain but she couldn't help but wince as her weight shifted uneasily. He reached a hand up to lightly move a stray hair away from her eyes, just as he had at the hospital and as he placed the hair behind her ear his fingers ran along her jaw bone, down to her chin which he lightly lifted towards his. 

The aching inside her filled her with longing for him. She had goose bumps all over as he slowly, lightly, lifted her chin higher and moved his lips closer to hers. She couldn't take it, she thought she might explode from the desire and longing. She ached deep down inside and could feel he had made her wet with wanting. She could barely breath. 

He kissed her softly just once, and pulled back to meet her eyes. 

"You." He finally answered her question. 

He moved in again with more force, moving his hand into her hair and drawing her to him. She returned his kiss deeply, her body begging for more, begging for him to be deeper within her. He moved his free hand to her waist and began to pull her from the couch onto his lap but her ankle turned as the pressure pushed down on her foot she leaned back and cried in agony from the pain. It was sharp and blinding and pulled her quickly from the flood of pleasure he had filled her with. In one swift movement he put his arms around her and she was in his arms again. 

"It's ok, you're ok. Put your arms around my neck." She could feel the hot tears streaming down her face as did as he said. He moved her through the apartment like she weighed nothing at all, his arms solid beneath her, she could feel the lines of his muscles. 

He placed her softly on her bed and began moving the pillows Abby had gotten for her ankle back into a pile. He pulled the coves over her and ran his hand along the side of her face, using his thumb to wipe away her tears. 

"You're ok." He said softly, looking deep into her eyes. "When was the last time you took the pain medication they gave you?" 

"I haven't...I haven't taken any." She whispered. She was no longer crying but all she could think of was the pain she was in. She could barely take him in and she barely noticed how it broke her more when he stood and walked away to the kitchen, grabbing the bag of take out on his way. 

Zoe caught her breath, she took a sip of water from the glass on her night stand and pushed herself up slowly to a seated position. 

David, with a plate of food in hand, moved quickly to set it down and help her up. 

"Here." He whispered as he lifted her up to sit up straight. He turned and grabbed the plate he had set down. It was filled with mostaccioli in tomato sauce. "Eat this and then you are going to take your medication and rest." 

"Are you just going to drop everything and take care of me?" She teased. 

Without missing a beat and with his face like stone he met her eyes and said, "That is exactly the plan." 

Chapter 10

"Zoe!!!!"
"Are you ok?"
"Matt told us everything! He feels terrible!" Abby and Lexie talked over each other. They were waiting in the hospital room when they brought her back from her last round of x-rays. The pain killers made it so Zoe had no idea how long she had been at the hospital but she knew was ready to go home.

"I'm fine, they said that once they get the x-ray results for my ankle I should be able to go home. I am so glad to see you two." As the nurse left the room Abby and Lexie pulled chairs up next to Zoe.

"You look like shit." Abby stated.
"Jesus Abby, be nice." Lexie smacked Abby's arm.
"Did David Moore really carry you out of the club? We know he brought you here but Matt said he was the one to carry you out! David Moore?!" Abby whispered.

Zoe was relieved when the doctor entered before she had to try and answer the question.

"Well Zoe, it looks like the ankle is just sprained, you will need to ice it and stay off it for a couple days but you should be fine. All in all, your injuries look a lot worse than they actually are. With a couple days rest you are going to be ok. You just need to stay home, rest, and be sure to have someone with you to keep an eye on you. The concussion seems to be mild but with head injuries it is essential to monitor those first few days." Dr. Reddy gave a sweet smile to Zoe and the girls as she put the chart down. "If you don't have any further questions we will get you checked out of here."

"Thank you, Doctor." Zoe said "That would be great."

The Doctor smiled and nodded then left the room. Zoe sighed and looked at the girls who were both on their phones texting.
 "Kelli says she hopes you feel better and she'll be by to visit once she is back in town." Lexie said without looking up from her phone.
"Matt says he hopes your okay and said to text him if..." Abby looked up in shock at the door way and Zoe looked to see what could possible stop Abby mid sentence.

David stood in the doorway in a fresh suit, Zoe realized it was morning as her breath caught in her throat. She wanted to be in his arms again. He looked only at her, his stone face showing no emotion but his eyes looking brighter than they had as his face had faded from her vision the night before. He had looked so concerned last night and that made her ache for his touch even more. Maybe he was more complicated than she had believed, maybe he wanted her for more than...what did he want her for?

"Matt is so hot Zoe, you really need to pursue that option ASAP, especially while he's still feeling awful for the whole dance floor incident." Lexie continued talking, eyes glued to her phone, oblivious to the new person in the room. Abby smacked her arm and Lexie's jaw dropped as she watched David walk over to Zoe's bedside.

"Good morning Zoe, how are you feeling?" It was as if Abby and Lexie did not exist, his eyes stayed on nothing but Zoe.

"Better, much better. Thank you so much for everything and I am so so-"
"You have nothing to apologize for." He cut her off.
"Zoe, we'll be right out here if you need us." Abby was dragging Lexie from the room as she said it. Zoe was thankful that David did not seem to notice what fools they were making of themselves, he didn't even glance at them.

As Zoe sat in her hospital bed she realized how awful she must look compared to this chiseled god like man standing next to her. Her long red hair was wild and dirty, she was sure her makeup was smeared if not completely gone, and she wore nothing but a thin hospital gown. She could feel a light throbbing from her forehead where she was sure there was a bump and probably some bruises from where she hit her head. She felt ridiculous as the same ache for him grew inside her as it had before, she knew that with how she must look it could only be her that felt the pull of him, the wanting for him.

He lifted a hand and gently ran his fingers along her hair line, moving some wild stray hairs back behind her ear. Her breath hitched at his touch.

"Did that hurt? I am so sorry. I just..." He sat on the edge of the bed, as if it were exactly where he belonged. He stared deep into her eyes and she was lost to him. He had to know the power he had over her.

"No, it's fine. I'm ok." She could barely hear herself as she whispered the words. She felt a longing deep within her.

"I just wanted to check on you, see if you were doing better. It sounds as though they will be sending you home soon?" His eyes searched her face for an answer.

"Yeah, they are just getting the paperwork in order. I'll be very glad to go home."
"I've told them to contact you employer with your off work notice and all bills will be sent to V. I will take care of everything so if they try and contact you let me know." The fantasy playing out in Zoe's head ended, he was here for business. She had been injured at opening night at his club and he was here to cover his tracks, not to profess some fondness for her. As much as she ached for him the reality of what they were was purely a physical escapade that he could easily pass by. "I also wanted to give you my personal cell number, if there is anything you need while recovering please let me know. I take it you live alone?"

"Yes, but I think Abby and Lexie are going to take turns watching me. You really don't need to do any of this, it's really all too much - "
"No. It's not. You shouldn't be alone the next few days, if they can't be there I expect you to call me. Understand?" His voice was all business as his eyes stayed locked on hers.
"Yes. Thank you." She nodded with reluctance. She could feel the tears welling up behind her eyes as the exhausted amplified her embarrassment at misreading the situation. Yet again she mistook his intentions as possibly being something more than what they were and she only had herself to blame.

He nodded and looked her over slowly, starting at her feet and working up to her eyes again. He ran his fingers along her jawbone, lightly raising her chin towards him. Chills went down her spine as he gently held her face in his hand. He moved in close, bringing his lips to her ear. She felt his lips brush her skin as he spoke n the softest whisper. A whisper that melted her very core.

"Don't you ever scare me like that again."

Chapter 9

"Clear the way."
"This way, can you carry her up the stairs?"
"Yeah, just lead the way."
"Did you see what happened?"
"She was behind me. I felt her pull and then all of the sudden she wasn't holding my hand anymore so I looked back and she was down and out. I thought they were going to step all over her."
"How much did she have to drink?"
"Two, maybe three at most. I don't think that had anything to do with it."
"Here, set her down here. Sarah, go get some water and a cold damp rag an- Jesus, look at her head. Get some ice."
"Yes, sir....Should...should I call 911?"
"No! No...Not yet."

Zoe could hear them talking over the roar of the music. Fuzzy images faded in and out: black chandeliers floating above her, a tall figure in a suit ahead of her, a girl looking at her nervously, David's face no longer made of stone, etched with concern.

A shrill voice broke through, "Mr. Moore, is she okay? This is all my fault! I didn't see her and I jumped back and I think I broke her ankle and..." Something stopped the panicked girl from talking and Zoe felt a warm touch along her calf followed by a sharp pain at her ankle. She winced.

"Zoe...Zoe...Hey, there you are." Her eyes had never felt so heavy as she struggled to open them. Matt's soft voice and beaming face still held a smile but a smile that was trying to hide concern. Just behind him was David, she saw his attention turn towards her as soon as her eyes fully opened. His stone face looking more grave than usual. She felt a cool damp towel on her forehead as she struggled to take in her surroundings.

She realized she was in the upstairs balcony on one of the plush couches overlooking the dance floor. She could see the party below had not stopped but she was surrounded by concerned faces. Matt was kneeling in front of the couch in front of her, to his side was David sitting in a chair brought over from a nearby table. Next to David stood a young woman holding a bag of ice, an employee of the club waiting for David's instructions. Near her stood small a group of girls, lightly sweaty, probably from the dance floor, the girl in the front of the group looked as though she was near tears. Behind them stood a few more employee's ready and waiting for instructions. All eyes were on Zoe.

"I don't know what happened." Zoe struggled to get the words out, they felt like molasses in her mouth. A sob broke out as the girl from the dance floor turned to her group of friends sobbing "It's all my fault!"

"Sarah, take these ladies downstairs. Get them a cab home, " David said to one of the employees standing at the ready behind him. He added in a hushed tone, "and get them some coffee to sober them up."

"We were trying to walk off the dance floor and from the looks of things, one of the girls jumped up and landed right on your ankle, knocking you down. You hit your head pretty hard." Matt spoke calmly, never loosing eye contact with Zoe as he spoke. As if he believed he could reassure her every thing would be ok as long as their eyes were locked.

Her head was pounding and everything ached. She had never felt pain like this before. She tried to lift herself up but Matt put a hand on her shoulder. "Don't move, okay?"

Things were starting to clear up for Zoe, she was gaining focus again and starting to understand what had happened, but most of all the pain was catching up with her. She turned to Matt, "I'll call Abby, she can drive me home."

Matt nodded and started to hand Zoe her clutch.

"No, that is not going to happen. You hit your head pretty hard Zoe. You are going to the hospital." David stood as he spoke, then turned to give instructions to one of the employees near him.

It happened in an instant. She went from the couch to his arms in a blink of an eye. Matt looked as shocked as Zoe felt. She was in his arms, for the second time that night David had his arms wrapped around her body.

"David, I 'll get her to the hospital." Matt attempted to argue. "You don't need to do this. I'll take care of it."

"While I appreciate the offer Matt, you've had a few too many to drink. I'll have Sarah call you a cab. Just call her friends and tell them I will be taking her to St. Mary's." And just like the Zoe watched elevator doors close and Matt was gone. She was in an elevator in David's arms and while she wished she could take in the moment, the feel of his arms around her, the sound of his breath and his heartbeat, the smell of his cologne, she could barely keep her eyes open as the pain overwhelmed her yet again.

"Shit, Zoe. Come on. Stay awake. Just a little bit longer. Please." She wasn't sure if it was the pain from her head of the pain in his voice that finally pulled her back into the darkness.